If a nation expects to be ignorant—and free—in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. –Thomas Jefferson

Fifteen years ago I began my journey of studying American history and God has taught me many things. Sometimes it's hard to narrow down the topic for a magazine article, because there is so much in my heart I need to express. But honestly, there are times when I feel enormous sadness because of what America has lost.

But take heart! We can take back what the devil has stolen from us.

Why Our History Means So Much for Today

You see, our nation started out as a place of refuge for the religiously oppressed. Back in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, many people in Europe were experiencing religious persecution. Two well-known examples are the Pilgrims and the Puritans. They, along with others, simply wanted the freedom to be able to worship God and practice their faith without being harassed, manipulated and controlled. So they came to America and found that freedom.

Over time, through our forefathers, God in His Providence formed the United States. He inspired the words of the Declaration of Independence, blessed the Continental Army with many miraculous victories, and enabled our Founding Fathers to construct a system of government based on God's Word.

The Constitution has proven to be an effective document that has served as the foundation of our republic for 222 years. Have you read the Constitution?

Sadly, many Americans have not.

Scant attention is paid to the Constitution in our schools today. Even in our law schools. And this, combined with the removal of God from most history books, has created an American population unaware of their country's godly heritage. This ignorance has slowly eroded our freedom.

When it comes to our rich godly heritage, most Christians are poverty stricken (they have little or no knowledge of it.) Therefore, they are too paralyzed to respond to issues that are stealing our God-given rights.

There's Still Hope

The best way to turn this country around is to get educated—learn all you can about America's godly heritage. As Christians and American citizens, we cannot stick our head in the sand and think things are just going to change for the better without our participation. With education, you can take effective action.

Citizen In Action

- Take a close look at who is on the ballot. Don't just choose candidates based on what they say. Find out what they have done in the past.

- Be sure to register and then vote whenever you get a chance.

- Encourage others to also exercise their right to vote.

One of the greatest areas where we have dropped the ball has been in the realm of voting. Many Christians don't bother to vote. And many who do, spend little time researching the candidates and issues. The result has been devastating over the years.

Our forefathers warned us about the importance of voting. They knew a populace that's ignorant or apathetic would eventually lose their freedom and fall under tyranny.

President James A. Garfield, who was also a Christian minister, once said this:

Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…[I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation…it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.

Garfield's words ring true today. As Christians, we need to stop tolerating ignorance, recklessness and corruption. We must help keep the culture and morality of our nation godly and pure.

But we must do more than pray and think God will do it all. We have to do our part too. And learning our history helps us know what we need to do. If we remain passive, this country doesn't have a chance.

Empower Yourself

You can learn much more through our many resources—books, DVDs and CDs─available in the America section of our bookstore. We have the information you need to be equipped to help keep America a free and godly nation.

I leave you with this: What we do not challenge in the beginning we lose our freedom to keep in the end.

Thank You!

Prayer request submitted.

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